Changeable exhibitor having a series of rollers with webs



April 2 1948- J. HUTCHINSON 2,439,932

CHANGEABLE EXHIBITOR HAVING A SERIES OF ROLLERS WITH WEBS I Filed Feb. 10, 194 4 Sheets-Sheet '1 g Tiqrl- M fforvzefs April 20, 1948. J. HUTCHINSON CHANGEABLE EXHIBITOR HAVING A SERIES OF ROLLERS WITH WEBS Filed Feb. 1 0 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 m w W g j a u m H 1 M Y. B M m 1% r ng/S April 20, 1948. J. H UTCHINSON 2,439,932

CHANGEABLE EXHIBITOR HAVING A SERIES OF ROLLERS WITH WEBS Filed Feb. 10, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Jobjfui'ch inson/ April 20, 1948. J. HUTCHINSON CHANG-EABLE EXHIBITOR HAVING A SERIES OF ROLLERS WITH WEBS Filed Feb. 10, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

Job Hufchz'nson Patented Apr. 20, 1948 CHAN GEABLE EXHIBITOR HAVING A SERIE OF ROLLERS WITH WEBS Job Hutchinson, Great N'eckQN. Y.

Application February 10, 1944, Serial No. 521,832

10 Claims. 1 v

This invention relates to a display apparatus or machine whereby a plurality of displays, such as curtains or sign sheets, posters and the like, containing advertising or other intelligence matter, are severally and successively displayed and each for a predetermined period of time.

More particularly, the invention relates to a display apparatus or machine of the character disclosed in United States Patents No. 2,190,426 of February 13, 1940, No. 2,195,249 of March 26, 1940, and No. 2,410,975 of November 12, 1946, granted to me.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of an apparatus or machine of the indicated character which embodies improvements whereby advantages are attained, among which are the following. It facilitates installation, replacement and repair of parts. Electrical mechanism for controlling the lighting and for operating the sign units are conveniently accessible and are so assembled and arranged as to meet underwriters requirements. The sign units or displays are transferred noiselessly. The sign curtains, sheets or posters are displayed without liability of being torn or mutilated and are kept flat and even when displayed. The driving mechanism is conveniently housed so that oil and dirt are prevented from reaching the sign curtains, sheets or posters.

With the foregoing, other objects of the invention will appear when the following specification is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. l is a vertical sectional view of an appa ratus embodying the features of the invention, the section being taken approximately on the line l-l of Fig. 2.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. p

Fig. 3 is a side view showing a panel removed to afford access to the driving chain.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view illustrating the manner in which the sign units are brought to the display position.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one end of a sign unit.

Fig. 6 is a view of one of the sign units, the spring roller assembly being shown in longitudinal section.

Fig. '7 is a fragmentary view of one end of a sign member or poster.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing certain features of the end construction of a sign member or poster.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the sign unit back check means.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken on the line lll-l0 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a top plan view partly in section showing certain features of the driving mechanism.

Fig. 12'is an enlarged sectional view of the clutch of the driving mechanism.

Fig. 13 is a side view looking at the clutch in the direction indicated by the arrow l3 of Fig. 12.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, it will be apparent the apparatus or machine includes a substantially rectangular casing, housing or cabinet Ill consisting of side walls ll, top wall 12, bottom wall M, back wall l5 and front wall It having a sight or window opening ll.

"Each of the side walls I I has a removable panel l8. The side, top, bottom and back walls are connected to each other by any suitable means. The front wal1 I6 is removably held in place by small slotted brackets ill on the wall I6 which engage pins 20 on the side walls II, as shown in 5 Fig. 2. A horizontal partition or separator 2| is interposed between the side walls and spaced a short distance above the bottom wall to provide a compartment for parts of the driving mechanism and electrical equipment to prevent oil and dirt from reaching other parts of the apparatus. The back wall has openings therein at the top and bottom and the partition 2| also has openings therein. The openings are designated 22. Strips 23 are attached to the back wall l5 on the outside thereof for the purpose of keeping the apparatus spaced from any flat surface. It will be apparent air may pass from a point at the bottom of the cabinet upwardly through and out of the same at the top, thereby giving a complete air circulation throughout the interior of the apparatus.

Each of the side walls II has a continuous groove or track formed therein at the inside thereof to provide a closed loop guideway 30. Each guideway consists of two vertical straight runs 3| and 32, respectively, joined by a lower semi-circular run 33 and an upper run34 consisting of turns or bends 35 merging into the upper ends respectively of; the runs 3| and an intermediate straight portion 36 in continuation of the turns 35. The side walls I I may bemade of wood or other suitablematerial and the guideways 30 are formed directly therein instead of using an additional frame structure to simplify the com SPIu tion.

The guideways 30 serve for guiding a plurality respectively of the carrier 4| of the next precedof similar sign units 40 along a prescribed path ing sign unit. It is therefore understood as one for the intended purposes. It is to be understood sign member 43 of one unit is being unrolled for that any suitable number of units 40 may be used. display prior to the upward travel of the unit, a In Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings only a sufficient 5 preceding sign member d3 of a second unit is number of the units 40 are shown to make the being rerolled as the second unit travels upwardly operation clear and so as to expose other parts as shown in Fig. 4. of the machine. The units 46 are identical in Pick-up means is provided for moving the units construction and operation. Therefore; a de- Ml'upwardly meet a time. Said means includes scription of one willsufiice for all. A unit lfla shaft 60' supported for rotation by adjustable consists of a carrier 4! and a spring roller 42 on brackets El on the side walls II, respectively, near which is wound or rolled and from which is un=- the top of the cabinet. Another shaft 62 is supwound or unrolled a sign membewposter; curtain: ported-for rotation by" suitable bearings 63 on the or sheet 43. These may be made of any suitabl'ee wallssH; Sprockets 6e are fast to the shafts 69 translucent material, such as stoutrpap cloth, and .62 and they are arranged in pairs, there or other flexible sheet material on y'vhiclr'is' im being-one-pairat each side of the sight opening printed advertising or otherrintelligence:matter: I'l in'pr-oximityto the side walls H. A chain 65 or various kinds: The carrier 41 consists of a encircles the sprockets 64 of each pair. Each shaft 44 and runners in the form of shoes'on chaiirBEhas aspeciallink which is provided with slides 45 on the opposite':-ends respectively of the a lug 65 having an anti-friction roller 6?. In each shafted; Therrollerrfliisiofidalieshadea ollerztype cycle. ofotthec. chains the rollers 61 engage the but without rauratchet andcitsrspring flfiiservesrfor' bumperssSZ erespeetively; of :arsign unit-4flindirewindi'ng, or rerol'lingafthecsignanemberi'thereon, cat'ed infFlgz-te the'sparticularrunit bein identithe spring being put under tension! wii'eiiithefsign fiedrby;thet-ietterrnr, The unit is carried upwardly member is:unw ound:1.. Therrollerrflsis:operatively 5 by theTOllers-SlIorrthelugsiifi, and is shown in mounted 'on' the shaft=44 betweenrtworcoliars 41: dotted lines: on jthe way up; allowing its sign Each collar 41 is held in place on the shaft byga' memberrto:be -rerolledwhileunrolling the sign setserewdil;= Eachrrunn'eriiisfievelopedifrom a member 43of= the nextsucceeding unit iden-' single strip of.spring;steelrto formwani8 shape tified byl'thegletter;B; Thus jeach'sign member structure: providingz:open?substantiallywircular 3 1 43Tis fullygdisplayedz at th'e'sight' opening-l1. portions Q9 joinede byram' intermediate? straight Wheni 'eaelrsignv unit Ml reaches its up' position, portion 58. The:portiomlibiissreceivedrin-zaikerf it is dogged or held from movingback or down in the end-ottheshaft; Pinsr5i orztherlikeiextendafter the zpick-up means clears the bumpers 52 through the :shaft rendcrandiithe-xportiaonifiOtto holdof- 'the: unit. Aaback checkv means at 1 each side the runner-iniplac'er. The: rollerC-flriszfirst are 3'5 of the opening .ll=is-provided-fonthispurpose.

ranged-"onrthe shaft'zlrafterrwhfch ithecollars saidgback eheck meansconsistsof adog, or check 41 are put in place: Themoilars prevent 213118 axial member-l 0 ipivotallyrn'ounted on a-studl l on the movement of-the -roller 421?; TlIe 'oPDDsiteeends adjacent-sidewall H;.- A acontractile' spring-.12

of the shaft' lprojectbeypnd:the collarsfll re hasoneend.connectedwith the-'tail 13 of the dog spectively; Tubulanbumpersfikare arranged-0n. b.: lnibyastud: lfl and-the opposite-endof thespring the projecting; endfportions respectively; of the isconnected t=withva-lsecul ing element15.011 the shaft'and these bumpers 5221'551181115113 r-piac'eeby wall- H. The springs 'lt yieldingly; retain the the collars-M and-rtherunners 45l The runners, dogs. Tfi'in the checking position so that as each of cOursaare-Secured to-the shaft after the bump unit dil'movesupwardly the bumpers 52-encounter 'ers'52 are "put in: place: Theseebumpers :aremade 45: thedogsrldrcspeotively and -move-them on their of suitable 'resilientmatepial; suchoferrinstancepivotsto allow thewunitditto-clear. after which as suitable'lengths of rubber tubing? The-novelthe-springs: l2 "quicklyyreturn -the dogs: to the typeof runners and the-bumpers el-iminate-metalchecking; position in engagement with said bumplic clicking sounds ;-in .thQfTQiCK'SHP a-Qd. delivery. ers to keep the particular uni-t Adand those'immeof each sign unit :40; :Theportibns of 'the'run- 5'6 diatel-y ahead of it-irom'movingbackdown, as ners being of open yloopgconstruction enable the indicated in- 'Fi-g.- 9:

portions toexpat-1dv oncontrflact and sosare esper There-is-provided hold-ingand releasing means ciailyadaptedtortrayelirtthagnidewaysw; with-- which cooperates with the backecheckmeans to out any binding actionand almost gnoiselessly. eliminate the use-ojS-a speci-al timin r and t It is to beeunderstood. a suflicien-t number. of 55-: make themovement of the: units All more relithe sign :units .areeusedtot enable the display of able and simplified-.- Said holding; and releasing the-sign. members..43;successiirelyroneeat a rtime: means consists of stop levers fulcrumed as at at the sigh openina l L Theretorze theeunits .40. 81 on theeside walls I respectively.-- The: upper willfollow each .othegthe.runnersdiotoneunit ends of the levers till-are pivotally connected, as contacting the runners of the one aheadofnitl b; at-BZ, with short links83, respectively, andsaid withrespect to thezdirectionoitravelofltheunits. links in 13111113313 pivotally. connected .with the They-travel downwardly attheebackrof :the..cabi studs J4 respectively. A'sthe dogs 10 move out net, the r forwardly; then upwardly. and. then). ofrthe checking p ositi6n, th'e levers 8ll'are operbackwardlycompleting a cycle Travel of "thee ated to release a .unit ,40 to be'subsequently enunits 401s in .part by gravity and partly by;posi- 65- gaged bythe pick=up means; Normally the lower t appl at o o ec fam 'al force. V ends of the levers engage thebumpers 52 ofeach In order to cause the di's'playoffthe sign mem unit 49 as it is brought into position for the unber d3 Ofeaeh unit dfl byunrollingthe member, rollingofflits sigfr'ririembeif43f This unit desigprior ;to 'theupward travlf or heme the 'rnem nate'd Bis in thisunrolling position, Thelevers i3 3 ber orv sheet .3} new pull rod-* 53* extending 7'57 th'us hold the unit against upward movement'durthrough a--tunnel even the 'outer-nd thereof. ing the-pull "(in-- its signmeiiibe'r M te u'nroll' the The opposite'ends of the'pull rod- 53 project besame in response to the upward movemen of the yond the :ends'respectivelyof thetunnelandsaid unit designated This unit operates-the back ends of*the--pull-' rodeach-liaise-hiile--55therein m check meari's which irrturn operats the-"levers The holes 55 receive therein the set screws-18 r an to release-'theuniflBto'the pick up meanss In order to hold the sign member43 of each unit 40 taut while it is displayed, there are provided bars 84 which are pivoted on the fulcrums 8| respectively. The upper end of each bar is connected with one end of a contractile spring 85 whose opposite end is connected with a securing element 86 on the adjacent side wall I I. The lower ends of the bars 84 are rounded to provide cams 81 which cooperate with the bumpers 52, to not only hold each sign unit presented thereto while it is stationary, but also to move said bars 84 to a releasing position as the unit is moved upwardly by the pick-up means. The springs 85 return the bars 84 to their functioning position. The lower ends of the bars 84 terminate above the lower ends of the levers 80 a distance to insure the temporary retention of each unit .40 in a position for the pick-up operation by the lugs 66. As each unit 4Il reaches its up position it causes a release of a unit in the advance ends of the runs 33, by reason of the operation of the parts I0, 83 and 89. There is a lever 80 and a bar 84 in proximity to each other at each side of the cabinet. A resilient stop 8 serves as a bumper for the associated lever and bar to I noiselessly limit the movement thereof to the functioning position.

In order to retain the sign member 43 of each unit smooth and in parallelism with the front wall there are provided spaced parallel slats 90, each pivotally connected as at 9I with radius arms 92 pivotally connected as at 93 with brackets 94, respectively, on the adjacent side wall II, as shown in Fig. 1. A dash-pot 95 is connected with the arms 92 between the same. The dashpot consists of a rod 96 having one end pivotally connected with one arm 92 and the other end of the rod has a plunger 91 which operates in a cylinder 99 pivotally connected with the other arm 92. A check valve 99 controls the flow of air into and out of the cylinder 98. The lower ends of the slats 90 are rounded so that the bumpers 52 will cause the slats to move rearwardly and upwards as the sign unit moves upwardly. The slats return by gravity action after the unit reaches its up position to gently press against the unrolled sign member being displayed. ,The dash-pots control the movement of the slats, and prevent any sudden or jerky motion of the slats and connected parts. Stop pins 88 on the walls I I, respectively, prevent the slats from moving too far on the return, engaging the lower arms 92.

It is to be noted the sign units 40 move downwardly by gravity at the back of the cabinet and push one unit at a time into position to be picked I up every time a unit is delivered to the backcheck means. In order to prevent a sudden or quick movement there are provided latches I00 which cooperate with the bumpers 52, respectively, of each unit 49. Each latch I00 has a cam IOI on its lower end while the upper end has connected therewith one end of a contractile spring I02 whose opposite end is connected with a securing element I03 on the adjacent side wall I I, The latches I00 sustain a portion of the weight of the units 40 above the same in the runs 32 of the guideways. The delivery of a unit 4I'I into the upper runs 34 pushes the whole series of units 40 so that there is always one in position ready to be picked up.

The driving power is derived by the use of an electric motor IIO mounted on a base III having rubber cushions II2 resting on the bottom wall I4 near the right side of the cabinet. A gear box H3 is also mounted on the base III and this box contains reduction gearing, generally designated H4, and including a'power input shaft H5 and a power output shaft H6. See Fig. 11. A clutch H1 is connected with the shaft H5. The clutch consistsof apulley II8 loose on the shaft II 5 and a disk II9 fast on said shaft. The pulley H8 is held against axial movement by collars I20 fast on the shaft I I5 as shown in Fig. 12. The pulley I I8 carries pivoted brake members I2I each having a roller I22. The members I2I are under the influence of tension springs I23 connected with lateral rods I24 on said members I2I as shown most clearly in Fig. '13. The brake members |2I cooperate with the disk II9 which has depressions I25 in the periphery thereof. Under normal action the rollers I22 are disposed in the depressions I25 respectively and effect the required normal power torque. A belt I26 encircles the pulley I I 8 and a pulley I2'I on the motor shaft I28. Any overload or stall for any reason will cause the clutch to slip since the rollers I20 will ride out of the depressions and move around on the disk I I9. This will prevent damage to the parts and also prevent the motor from burning out. A driving chain I29 encircles a sprocket I30 fast to the shaft H6 and a sprocket I3I fast to the shaft 62. Thus rotary motion is transmitted from the motor IIO to the shaft 62 through the intervention of the parts I'I4I 3 I. The sprockets I30 and I3I, as well as the chain I29, are disposed between the panel I8 and the right hand side wall II. This panel I8 may be removed to afford access to the said chain I 29 and the sprockets I30 and I3I, A bolt and nuts I32 connect the box II3 with the base III for adjustment to keep the chain I29 under proper tension.

Spaced vertical plates I33 carried by supports I34 extending from the. side walls II have arranged thereon certain electrical appurtenances including lighting elements such as the fluorescent tubes I35 backed by a reflector for lighting the sign members 43. Also a junction-box I36 is arranged on the left-hand side wall I I. This box I36 supports two terminals from the lighting circuit, two terminals from the motor circuit, two terminals for the line and two terminals for a fuse, all properly electrically connected with two control switches for the lighting and motor circuits. Access to these parts is afforded by the removal of th left-hand panel I 8. .An'extension cord I31 for supplying a suitable source of voltage is provided, This cord may be drawn into the cabinet below the partition 2| and thus be protected during shipment of a machine. The, cord may be withdrawn readily when the machine is to be put into operation. All electrical appurtenances are installed to pass the requirements of underwriters.

It is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and arrangement of the parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a sign display apparatus of the type having sign units which travel periodically along a continuous guideway, each unit having a sign member which may be unrolled While the unit is stationary and rerolled during travel and the sign member of each unit having one end attached to a second unit in advance of it, the combination of pick-up means to move the units successively one at a time, holding and releasing means to engage each unit as it is presented thereto to hold it while a second unit is being advanced by said pick-up meeeszteun-rell. tlieg issrmeiehesi iiiiaheidiieih d oienablez hesiei wmeis e zomherad ancine. ni-t oerol e nd ae :he@ s;me n m nested with themolding andxreleasing means tu ted ibx heimovementi i. tiie adv ne nes n causing, ti eroperation 0f; the heldingeand; 11816815? ne -m ansj e e sestilelield n t s -fiha it ma be advaneed in-dueprder, v

2. In I a sign disp lay -apparatussas -set.ior th-in c imliw erei se d lmld n p rel a inam a s includes, spring actuated holding and: releasingmembers..

3. Inasign -display a paratus as set forthin aim-1, where nrl-saidi aclecheclg-mean ,censists 0f ri etuat d iv ed membersfnqrmallye tending ini the athof, m,o vernent of said sign n s.

4. In a 1sign'vdisplayapparatuses set ,forth in c aim whe ein a h id na ndre ea n mea s consists oi, holding and releasing-. members, and said baclg-clieckmeansecQnfiifitsoi spring-actuated iv ted embers nked oemisolding and releasing membersireweetiyely, said pivoted memn rmally xt nd n -i iherpathpoi m eme ofsaidsignn a snr i l apperatus ss 'forth n elaim .1, wherein said baek cheek means consists of spr ng act t d ideas connected with sa d h ld ing, -an d releasing means which not only actuate the holding and releasing means,.but also p event the return movement of, each sign unit.

6 n avsisndispl y ap aratusefi t at pehavs. sispi ni s hi h-S w l ti dical y ne a continuous guideway, each unit; having a: sign memberwhich may be ginroiled whilee-the'unit is stationary and rerolled di ring travel and the Sign member .of each unit haying one end-attached to a second. unit in adyanoe; of it, the combination-of pick-up means to move the units, successively one. at a time, a painoi members, means connected. with said members operated by the .movement of each sign unit .tohold each unit presented to said airs of members so that its-sign member may be.

which sign units. of ithetcurtain-rollerltype travel" arounda closed circuit and wherein one unit while n; an .up p sition-1coonerateswith:anothemnit-in a -,dewn positiontwretain si n; curtainroiithe unit in the, dpwn: positiomdisplayed; the combination of dogging meansto prevent:backwardmotvement ofthem itinthenp position; andimeanste held the 'unit in the down position from; moyingmp: wardlywhile its sigmeurtain is -being:disp1ayed; said dogging ;means;conneotedrwith andcausing the operationofsaid: last means to release the unit inthe downppsition, soythat it may be moved upwardly.

8. A si nunit :ofihe curtain roller tynenincluck ing a carrier for, the roller; said: carrier having r ners. on the oppositeqendsrespectively, each-oi saidrunners consisting ;0 fa strip, ofmaterialcbent and formed toprovide open loop resilient port-ions adapted for sliding -movementto afford traction means for the.-;unit; and-in combination, uide,- ways traversed by said loop-portions.

. 9; A sign .unit of the=curtain rollertype includ= ina a carrier-for the-roller; said. carrierv having runnerson theopposite endsrespectively adapted to, traverseclosed loop ,g'uideways, each QfJsaid runners consisting of a strip of material :provide ing-- a straight attaching: portion intermediateopen loop-resilient portions adapted to slide-alone. said guideways.

10. In a sign display apparatus oi the class having traveling sigmunits-of the curtain roller type and wherein each ofsaid units has asign .curtain whichis displayed while 'unrolled; meanstoi iretain saidcurtainevenly spreadflatwisewhiie uns ro ed,- said means consisting 10f :spaced slats, piv= oted arms on which: the slats are ciivotall'y mountedgand a V-dash-potconnected with said arms to control the:mov:ement;of the slats;

REFERENCES CITED 1 The following-references are ofrecord'in the file of this patent:

UNITEDBTATES PATENTS Number Name Date 729,847 Collamore-et a1- June 2; 1903 1,815,311 Harris 11113721, 1931 2,122,153 Page June 28,- 1938- 2,;941 Slack Apr. 2, 1940- 2,262,183 Hutchinson Nov;- 11,1941 2,302,372 Holloway Nov.-17,-19421 2,326,179 Sneed Aug; 10519431 

